I get asked a lot about intermittent fasting – which is not a diet and is better described as an approach to meal timing. While I understand there are benefits for some, I do have concerns about this strategy for women in perimenopause and menopause.

Ever feel like your home could use a little extra something? It’s come together nicely and you’re happy with it, but…it needs a little oomph. Time to zhuzh it up! Take a look around your home or office. There are zhuzh opportunities everywhere!

It's the end of an era. In a few weeks we’ll be packing up The Shoe Hive and moving it into our clothing space at 315 Cameron Street. We’ve been at 127 South Fairfax since 2009 and it’s been a wonderful home for our little fashion community. I hope you’ll come to the courtyard one more time!

Natalie says, “You can keep an eye on your clients and work out. There’s an energy transfer when we’re doing it together…we know when we’ve fatigued…that’s harder to tell when you’re not actually doing it. I also give my team the freedom to bring their own flair to their class, it’s not plug and play.”

Well it’s week two of our Courtyard Clearance Sale at The Shoe Hive. Things are moving quickly, that’s for sure! This week we have only two price points: $75 and $100. There’s something about the arrival of fall merchandise that makes us grab the red pens and reduce prices on summer merchandise.

We tapped two of our local skincare experts, Ashley Perkins of Caravela and Celthia Corsino of Bellacara, for tips on summer skincare. If anyone knows how to tap into the fountain of youth and make our skin glow — it’s these women. Here are some ideas to implement into your current routine:

If you're looking forward to traveling this summer and staying with family or friends, and you want to show your appreciation in a special and thoughtful manner, we have the perfect gift for you. These are items that will last much longer than that bottle of wine and will be a nice reminder of you whenever they see it in their home.

I am a longtime restaurateur, but I recently opened a retail shop and learned a few things—retail can be tough. This being said, do not be afraid to be the queen of the castle, but be smart and listen to those who have walked the walk.

August 3rd is Stationary Store Day!! Mark your calendars now and make your plans to be at Penny Post early. Last year, we had a line of about 40 people strong as soon as we opened the door. When I say our paper people are serious about paper, I’m not kidding. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Our team of lucky booksellers got to take on a fun challenge: Match the cover of a book you’re recommending this summer to an M.M. LaFleur outfit! Here’s what we came up with. How did we do?

I find that shoes are an area where it can feel safe to play around with color a bit. I cannot explain this but whenever I see a very classic outfit in neutral colors with a bright shoe it always looks great. Always.

There’s a reason the world loves a spritz, it’s light, refreshing and so easy to make. Whether you’re enjoying these by the Piscina “pool”, Spiaggia  “beach”, Terrazza “patio” or Ristorante “restaurant” do as the Italians do and enjoy.

“Coming from Old Town Alexandria, I wanted to open my first restaurant here. Restaurant Eve was born, named for my daughter. I didn’t want it to fail so I named it after her. We were very fortunate, we received four out of four stars from The Washington Post…served two sitting presidents. After Eve, I opened 14 restaurants…”

Find someone who your friends speak highly of, where you feel heard and well taken care of, and appreciate the clinician’s honest opinion and recommendations.

Hair texture can change due to various factors, including age, hormonal shifts, pregnancy, medication and lifestyle changes. Women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s might notice differences in curl pattern, frizz, and even thickness. Understanding these changes is the first step toward embracing your natural texture.

This year is going to be a big one because, well, it’s our last one. After the Sidewalk Sale in August, we’ll be merging the Shoe Hive (on Fairfax Street) into the Hive’s location at 315 Cameron Street - and won’t have the awesome courtyard. This sale is a little bittersweet for me, and the deals are going to be major!

The heat index keeps on rising, and with it nearing 100 degrees this week, we can’t help fantasizing about an escape to the beach, cool water and summer breezes. Here’s a comprehensive guide to beaches up and down the East Coast with estimated travel time, and recommended places to stay and where to eat.

When our kids were born my husband waxed poetic about family road trips. He longed for the nostalgia of it (clearly, he doesn’t remember pain). On our first road trip with a small child, it didn’t take long for reality to set in. Traveling with kids is hard. For everyone.

I get that right now everyone is all about setting boundaries and saying “No.”  But for some of us, life needs to be about saying YES. I am newly divorced, and I want to be open to new life experiences right now.

Inspired by the beautiful, warm days and daydreams of vacation life, I've curated a vacation home mood board influenced by the best vacations, with a touch of bohemian design and coastal/lake living. Someday, we'll find just the right place to bring this scheme to life.